HAMILTON, Bermuda-Tuesday 24 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rating agency S&P Global has reaffirmed the financial strength rating of A- with a stable outlook for International General Insurance (IGI), the global specialist commercial insurer and reinsurer. IGI’s issuer credit and insurer financial strength ratings were reaffirmed by S&P, despite a catastrophe-heavy year in 2017, resulting in additional liability charges. “S&P reaffirming our A- rating reflects the consistency of our underwriting strategy, strength of our balance sheet and high-calibre talent.” said Wasef Jabsheh, Chief Executive Officer of IGI. “Even in a cat-heavy 2017, IGI’s sound underwriting performance helped us to maintain continued profitability and capital adequacy.” In its report, S&P said: “IGI’s sound underwriting performance continues as seen in its five-year average net combined ratio of 88% and average net profits of $30 million.” S&P praised IGI’s business risk profile, calling IGI a “re ... Read more »

HAMILTON, Bermudes-Mardi 24 Juillet 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)- L'agence de notation S&P Global a reconfirmé la notation de solidité financière de A- avec une perspective stable pour International General Insurance (IGI), les réassureurs commerciaux internationaux spécialisés au monde. Les cotes de crédit et la solidité financière attribuées à l'assureur ont été reconfirmées par S&P, malgré la lourde année catastrophique vécue en 2017, causant en effet des charges à responsabilité supplémentaires. "En reconfirmant notre notation A-, S&P reflète notre stratégie de souscription cohérente, la solidité de notre bilan et notre talent de haut calibre", a déclaré Wasef Jabsheh, chef exécutif à IGI. "Même en 2017, l'année lourde en bilan, la solide performance de souscription d'IGI nous a permis de maintenir notre rentabilité et notre adéquation au capital". Dans son rapport, S&P a déclaré : "La solide performance de souscription d'IGI se poursuit, comme en témoigne son ratio comb ... Read more »

KITAKAMI, Japan-Tuesday 24 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Memory Corporation, the world leader in memory solutions, today held a groundbreaking ceremony for the first semiconductor fabrication facility (fab), called K1, in Kitakami, Iwate prefecture, in northeastern Japan. On its completion in autumn 2019, the facility will be one of the most advanced manufacturing operations in the world, dedicated to production of 3D flash memory. Toshiba Memory continues to advance technologies in flash memory. The company is now leading the way forward with advances in its BiCS FLASH™, its proprietary 3D flash memory. Demand for 3D flash memory is increasing significantly on fast growing demand for enterprise servers, datacenters and smartphones. Toshiba memory expects continued strong growth in the mid and long term. The new facility will make a major contribution to business competitiveness in corporation with Yokkaichi operations. The new facility will not only be the lar ... Read more »

Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Wednesday 25 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] The global economic recovery that started in late 2016 is starting to slow down and lose momentum, with global confidence in Q2 dipping from its Q1 high, finds the latest edition of ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and IMA Global Economic Conditions survey. Although it remains high by recent standards, the slight fall in confidence reflects increasing fears of a trade war between the US and China. This continues to effect global outlook, with China’s economic sentiment falling sharply. Despite this, across the Middle East and in the UAE, confidence rebounded further in the second quarter of the year and is now at its highest level since Q2 2015. The key factor behind the recovery in confidence is the sharp rise in the oil price, which peaked at US$80 per barrel in late May, compared with a low of just US$35 per barrel at the start of 2016. This has resulted in an increase in revenues coupled ... Read more »

Jerry Inzerillo appointed as Vice-Chairman to the Forbes Travel Guide Board of Directors and Filip Boyen joins company as Chief Executive Officer ATLANTA-Wednesday 25 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury travel, announced today a plan to significantly scale the company from evaluating and verifying luxury hospitality in 60 countries to 100 countries by the end of 2019. As part of this growth strategy, the company has made several key appointments and executive promotions. Gerard “Jerry” Inzerillo, who has served as CEO of Forbes Travel Guide since 2014, will be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Forbes Travel Guide Board of Directors and veteran luxury hospitality leader of 30 years, Filip Boyen, will be appointed CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. Filip was most recently the CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which he joined in 2015 following decades of stewardship with Orient Express Hotels and Resorts where his last role was C ... Read more »

AMSTERDAM-Tuesday 24 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gemalto today announced the launch of Sentinel Up, an enterprise-grade software update solution for software vendors and device manufacturers. Designed to help businesses improve customer satisfaction and drive business growth, Sentinel Up allows vendors to deliver fast and timely software updates, creates in-app notifications and generates install base insights which are vital components of a digital business. “Business demands are constantly changing and having a software licensing solution that adapts to an organisation in real-time is critical to staying ahead of the competition,” said Shlomo Weiss, Senior Vice President, Software Monetization at Gemalto. “Agility and speed are crucial to business success, so being able to update products easily, automatically, and with minimum user disruption allows vendors to keep their customers up-to-date with their latest offerings.” Delivering fast and simple updates via a “On ... Read more »

Sir Richard Branson unveils nine new irresistible spaces and an ocean-inspired, well-being ethos that will deliver unique onboard experiences GENOA, Italy-Tuesday 24 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin revealed renderings and animations of nine new public spaces of the company’s first ship, as well as innovative programming details about its approach to well-being for sailors, which the brand refers to as ‘Vitamin Sea.’ As part of the “Epic Sea Change for All” brand purpose, Virgin Voyages has committed to delivering transformational and rejuvenating experiences for its sailors. Its ‘Vitamin Sea’ ideology is inspired by the oceans and their importance in the health and well-being for our planet and our daily lives. The approach also places healthy travel at the forefront of the delivery of its ‘Adult by Design’ experience for the 18+ sailor. “We are all so busy with life, work and fa ... Read more »

• Revenue of $8.3 billion increased 6% sequentially • Pretax operating income of $1.1 billion increased 12% sequentially • Second-quarter GAAP EPS, including charges of $0.12 per share, was $0.31 • Second-quarter EPS, excluding charges, was $0.43 • Cash flow from operations was $987 million PARIS-Tuesday 24 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] (BUSINESS WIRE)-- Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB) today reported results for the second quarter of 2018. (Stated in millions, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended Change Jun. 30, 2018 Mar. 31, 2018 Jun. 30, 2017 Sequential Year-on-year Revenue $8,303 $7,829 $7,462 6% 11% Pretax operating income $1,094 $974 $950 12% 15% Pretax operating margin 13.2% 12.4% 12.7% 75 bps 45 bps Net income - GAAP basis $430 $525 $(74) -18% n/m Net income, excluding charges & credits* $594 $525 $488 13% 22% Diluted EPS - GAAP basis $0.31 $0.38 $(0.05) -18% n/m Diluted EPS, excluding charges & credits* $0.43 $0.38 $0.35 13% 23% *These are non-GAAP financial mea ... Read more »

~The sports festival full of family entertainment, food, music and the ultimate sporting spectacles this October at Bab Al Shams Arena, Dubai~ Dubai, United Arab Emirates-Tuesday 24 July 2018 [ AETOS Wire ] Dubai is getting ready to welcome the biggest and strongest men in the world, this October. Under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, CORE Worldwide in collaboration with Envie Events brings you the very first edition of the World's Ultimate StrongmanTM at Beasts in the Middle East on 26th October, 2018 at Dubai’s ‘Bab Al Shams Arena’. On this occasion, the ‘Bab Al Shams Arena’ adjacent to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa, will transform into a festival ground for the day. There is something for all ages at this festival; from fun, games, activities, an obstacle course, a roller rink, strength tests and arts and crafts to sporting competitions. Along with the activities the festival has a variety of unlimited food and beverage buffets, a not to be missed food truck style ... Read more »